Welcome to Brooklyn

Welcome to Brooklyn

This sprawling borough of New York City once numbered among the most prolific agricultural regions in America. During the 19th century, cows grazed on its hillsides and farmers grew everything from potatoes to kale.

Today, Brooklyn still feels more heartland than Big Apple, with ribbon-worthy pie cafés hanging out shingles next to soda shops and general stores. To make navigating this supersized Mayberry manageable, we planned day trips around three of our favorite areas — Greenpoint and Williamsburg; Atlantic Avenue, Carroll Gardens, and Red Hook; and Prospect Park and Park Slope (highlighted on map) — then homed in on the best spots to shop, eat, and explore.